Protective bib

ABSTRACT

A protective bib comprises a first strap and a second strap. A first magnet is associated with the first strap and a second magnet associated with the first strap or the main portion of the bib. The second magnet has a polarity opposite to the first magnet, wherein the first and second magnets are capable of being matched to secure the bib to a shirt. A third magnet is associated with the second, and a fourth magnet is associated with the second strap. The fourth magnet has a polarity opposite to the third magnet, wherein the third and fourth magnets are capable of being matched to secure the bib to a shirt.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective bib, generally used forinfants and/or children.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous approaches have been taken to provide a protective bib,particularly for infants and/or children, to be worn over clothing toprotect the clothing from food spills, dribbles and the like. Such bibsare formed of an absorbent material, typically terrycloth (a fabric thatcan absorb large amounts of water) or the like and are made in variousshapes and sizes with means for attaching the bib around the neck of theinfant and/or child, usually with a pair of cords or chains.

A number of U.S. patents (e.g., 7,269,856) illustrating improved fitbetween a protective bib and a wearer's neck and improved absorbentmaterial (e.g., 5,661,851) for a protective bib have been describedbefore.

However, most prior art bibs use strings, buttons, Velcro, or othermethods having choking hazards, have been used to secure the bibs aroundthe neck during use. Thus, there is a need for a safer alternative thatprovides for removable use of a bib.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one preferred embodiment, a protective bib comprises a mainbib portion; a strap; a first magnet associated with the strap; and asecond magnet associated with the bib, the second magnet having apolarity opposite to the first magnet, wherein the first and secondmagnets are capable of being matched to secure the bib to a shirt.

According to another preferred embodiment, protective bib comprises afirst strap; a second strap; a first magnet associated with the firststrap; a second magnet associated with the first strap, the secondmagnet having a polarity opposite to the first magnet, wherein the firstand second magnets are capable of being matched to secure the bib to ashirt; a third magnet associated with the second strap; and a fourthmagnet associated with the second strap, the fourth magnet having apolarity opposite to the third magnet, wherein the third and fourthmagnets are capable of being matched to secure the bib to a shirt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a elevational view of the protective bib, accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an expanded elevational view of the protective bib,according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an expanded perspective view of the protective bib,according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a first step for installing the bib of the embodimentof FIG. 1 on the inside front of a baby's shirt;

FIG. 5 illustrates a further step for installing the bib of theembodiment of FIG. 1 on the inside front of a baby's shirt; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up view of a final step for installing thebib of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on the inside front of a baby's shirt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be usedindependently of one another or in combination with other features.

With reference to FIG. 1, an elevational view of the protective bib 100,is shown according to one embodiment. The protective bib 100 may usesuperior absorbent material for ease of wiping and/or cleaning, withoutcompromising any comfort.

With reference to FIG. 2, an expanded elevational view of the protectivebib 100 is shown according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The protectivebib 100 may comprise a main bib portion (generally marked as 100) havingat least one strap 120. Furthermore, the strap 120 can be bonded orattached or stitched onto the protective bib 100. Furthermore, the strap120 could be made of same or substantially similar material as theprotective bib 100.

A miniature magnet 140, for example, of north polarity, can be sewn ontothe strap 120, such that it does not move to any substantial degree andsubstantially stays in place by means of being sewn around, forming apocket wherein the miniature magnet 140 of north polarity is placedduring assembly and sewing of the protective bib 100.

Similarly, a miniature magnet 160 of south polarity can be can be sewnonto the strap 120, such that it does not move to any substantial degreeand substantially stays in place by means of being sewn around, forminga pocket wherein the miniature magnet 160 of south polarity is placedduring assembly and sewing of the protective bib 100.

The strap 120 with a pair of miniature magnets 140 and 160 can have acover 180, so that the miniature magnets 140 and 160 are not exposed toair.

The strap 120 with a miniature magnet 140 and a miniature magnet 160 canbe placed symmetrically on the left end side and right end side of theprotective bib 100 for mechanical stability.

With reference to FIG. 3, an expanded perspective view of the protectivebib 100 is shown according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The assembly ofthe strap 120 illustrates the insertion of the pair of miniature magnets140 and 160 and their placement within the strap 120.

With reference to FIG. 4, a first step for installing the bib 100 of theembodiment of FIG. 1 on the inside front of a baby's shirt is shown. Thebib 100 can be first inserted into the inside portion of the shirt,preferably while the baby is wearing the shirt.

With reference to FIG. 5 a further step for installing the bib 100 ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1 on the inside front of a baby's shirt is shown.As shown, the straps may be unfolded from the bib 100, and re-foldedover the front of the shirt, thereby securing the bib 100 to the insideof the shirt using magnets 140 and 160.

With reference to FIG. 6, a close-up view of a final step for installingthe bib 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 on the inside front of a baby'sshirt is shown. As illustrated, each strap 120 is pressed against theshirt so that the magnets 140 and 160 on each strap are in closeproximity, but through the shirt to secure the bib 100 onto the insideof the shirt. In this way, the bib 100 is removably attached to theshirt without the need of a pair of cords or chains, or the need for anyattachment means on the shirt itself.

The material used to make the protective bib 100 can be a traditionalabsorbent material (e.g., cloth, cotton and cellulose fiber) or a superabsorbent polymer.

A superabsorbent polymer, for example, may comprise cross-linkednetworks of flexible polymer chains. Except for the molecular-sizedchains that make up the network, this picture of a network is remarkablysimilar looking to the mass of cotton fibers. The difference is thatcotton takes up water by convection—water is sucked up, wetting the dryfibers. Superabsorbent polymers work by diffusion mechanism at themolecular level, since the fibers are actually long chained molecules.

The dimensions of the protective bib 100 can be such that they aresuitable for infants and/or children as well as adults with specialneeds.

The protective bib 100 is illustrated herein without a pocket. A pocketcan be formed into the bottom edge of protective bib 100 to catch anyspillage.

The protective bib 100 can also be fabricated with a decorative buttonor other embellishment on the strap 120 for display after installationon the shirt.

The protective bib 100 can be personalized by fabricating a child and/orinfants name or any other embellishment or decorative fabric.

The protective bib 100 can be personalized by affixing or directlyfabricating a child and/or infants photo thereon.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims

I claim:
 1. A protective bib, comprising: a main bib portion; a strap; afirst magnet associated with the strap; and a second magnet associatedwith the bib, the second magnet having a polarity opposite to the firstmagnet, wherein the first and second magnets are capable of beingmatched to secure the bib to a shirt.
 2. The protective bib of claim 1,wherein the first magnet is sewn into the strap.
 3. The protective bibof claim 2, wherein the second magnet is sewn into the bib such thatstrap is capable of a folded configuration such that the first magnetand the second magnet are in close proximity through the shirt whensecured to a shirt.
 4. A protective bib, comprising: a first strap; asecond strap; a first magnet associated with the first strap; a secondmagnet associated with the first strap, the second magnet having apolarity opposite to the first magnet, wherein the first and secondmagnets are capable of being matched to secure the bib to a shirt; athird magnet associated with the second strap; and a fourth magnetassociated with the second strap, the fourth magnet having a polarityopposite to the third magnet, wherein the third and fourth magnets arecapable of being matched to secure the bib to a shirt.
 5. The protectivebib of claim 4, wherein the first and second magnets are sewn into thefirst strap.
 6. The protective bib of claim 5, wherein the third andfourth magnets are sewn into the second strap.